Investigating the Effectiveness of an Enhanced Coin-Shaped Lithium Battery With Titanium Coating in Reducing Esophageal Damage From Accidental Ingestion in Living Piglets

Background Accidental ingestion of coin-shaped lithium batteries (CSLBs) poses a serious health risk, leading to severe esophageal injuries and fatal complications. Conventional CSLBs cause rapid tissue damage due to electrochemical reactions, necessitating the development of safer battery designs. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an improved CSLB with a titanium-clad design to reduce electrochemical reactions and delay esophageal tissue damage in cases of accidental ingestion. Methods This study aimed to develop an improved CSLB using a three-layer clad structure (nickel-titanium-stainless steel) to reduce electrochemical reactions and delay tissue damage. A saline soak test was conducted to simulate battery ingestion and measure electrochemical activity. Additionally, an in vivo piglet experiment was used to assess the extent of esophageal tissue damage over time, comparing the improved battery with conventional CSLBs. Results The improved battery exhibited a significantly reduced electrochemical reaction, with a one-third lower consumed capacity in the saline soak test compared with conventional CSLBs. In vivo experiments demonstrated that full-thickness esophageal damage was delayed by four to six times, extending the time window for medical intervention from 2 h to 12 h. No perforation of the positive pole casing was observed in the improved battery compared with conventional CSLBs, indicating a safer design. Conclusion The novel titanium-clad CSLB successfully mitigates esophageal damage, providing critical additional time for emergency intervention. Although the improved design does not completely prevent injury, it significantly reduces the risk of fatal complications. These findings support the adoption of safer battery designs and the use of standardized test methods for future battery safety evaluations.